HONOLULU - Jim Bolla, head coach of the University of Hawai`i women's basketball team, will undergo a medical procedure on Monday, Feb. 5, and will be taking a leave of absence to recuperate. Associate coach Pat Charity will serve as interim head coach.

"This is something that came up unexpectedly and, on the advice of doctors, I'm choosing to take care of it immediately," Bolla said. "I have full confidence in Pat and my staff to carry on in my absence. I will be in communication with them and I know that they will do a wonderful job. I hope to return to the bench as soon as possible."

"Jim has the complete support of the athletics department and the university," Herman Frazier, UH athletics director, said. "We wish him a successful procedure and a speedy recovery."

Bolla is in his third year as head coach of the Rainbow Wahine. He has a 38-37 mark at Hawai`i and a 338-157 career record. The Rainbow Wahine currently are 9-12 overall and seventh in the Western Athletic Conference with a 3-6 mark. Last season, the Rainbow Wahine enjoyed their best season in four years, finishing with an 18-10 record and a third-place finish in the WAC.

Charity was the first assistant to join Bolla's staff after he was hired in July, 2004. The native of Grand Rapids, Mich., has head coaching experience, having served at her alma mater, Western Michigan, for seven seasons (1990-97).

-UH-